Research Methods and the Future

Abstract

The two major concerns of the participants at the conference might be summarized as follows: (1) the lack of, and need for, a general integrative theory, and (2) the relevance of data generated in the traditional laboratory context to "real world" phenomena. On the surface, these might appear to be divergent foci of concern. The former maintains that more attention should be devoted to abstraction and theoretical refinement. A comprehensive theory would summarize existing knowledge into a coherent framework and provide direction for research aimed at further reclarification of the theory. The latter holds that research should be directed toward solving important social problems. The goal is not necessarily to advance knowledge in general but rather to provide practical advice on a specific problem. McGuire's recent (1973) article eloquently expresses the ambivalence within the field as to which direction might ultimately prove to be more fruitful. At this conference, several of the papers (e.g., Keisler, 1974; Rommetveit, 1974) attempted to integrate the literature within broad areas, while others (e.g., Apfelbaum, 1974) used social events as the main source for research and thinking.